Leif

Don't see how he'll fit in. Not got the same vision as Modric and is much more selfish. Unless of course, he's used like Lampard would be in a 4-3-3.

ffs. This is why certain members don't like Twitter links being posted. This rumour has been started by 1 Twitter account who's "in the know" aka a guesser of transfer dealings; and 2 little off-spring accounts likely managed by 2 online friends. With their followers collectively near 100k (i think), this rumour is obviously spreading. Anything they post will spread, due to gullible and ignorant people spreading the rumour. It's just come out of nowhere though and has zero substance. It also makes no sense for Atletico Madrid, even with them in financial troubles, and little sense for us. They're now even 'reporting' minor contract details such as "It's expected his wages will rise 5% per year." How can anyone expect such a minute detail in what would potentially be one of the biggest Chelsea transfers in the last decade? If he's being presented to the Chelsea players tomorrow, when did he have this medical? Did he send a clone to Cobham during his game with Atletico Madrid? Or maybe he flew over during the middle of his training session today.

This move would get 2 thumbs up from me; definitely.

Hutchinson? The guy who may or may not even be able to play 10 Prem. League games a season and has been used at right back by us now and is intended to play RB for Forest? Chalobah who's around 16? Bruma who's been nowhere near good enough for even a mid-table Premier League team if his loan is anything to judge by? Romeu who can't even get a game under RDM in his natural position?

Why do so few people on here seem to mention us needing a new centre-back? It's always "double pivot" this or "winger" that. I understand that they've sorely needed sorting out, but our defence needs upgrading too! Look at our defence. Ivanovic rarely looks great when central. Luiz is Luiz. He has great potential, but he isn't a great defender at the moment. (He'd make a good libero.) Far too reckless and often has awful decision making. Cahill is fine really. Can still improve. Terry is clearly on the decline. Those 4 central defenders hardly scream out "Champion quality" in my opinion. It's also not enough central defenders in my opinion if we're going to be competing in so many competitions with Ivanovic likely being rotated at right-back with Cesar. This is why, although it's probably just paper talk and complete rubbish, I'm ecstatic to see us linked with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa today. I watched him many times last season, and honestly, he along with Hazard, was probably amongst the top 5 best players in the league. He's 23 years old, and already captains Montpellier. He's got extraordinary stamina & determination, and a beautiful work-rate. I can't really judge his tackling as his positioning is so good that he usually just intercepts. He is incredible at marking. He's not the strongest of players or the most dominant in the air, but he rarely lets someone get passed him. (Even if this means committing a foul, which he needs to work on.) I can imagine him leaving for £15million or less. Montpellier aren't exactly the richest of clubs. He would improve almost any starting XI on the planet in my opinion. I'm certain.

I really hope he goes to Tottenham. He's awful. He has awe-inspiring technique and dribbling at times, but it's hard to find a more selfish player. He also has crap decision making and panics in the final third. Just think - If we hadn't sacked AVB, instead of Hazard, we probably would have signed Willian. . . that's just scary.

I'm not confident about this game. I get the feeling Falcao will get a late winner. With that said though, Atletico aren't quite used to their new system yet. They've lost Diego (who they had on loan last season), their playmaking attacking midfielder, and instead now have Emre, a deep-lying playmaker. Turan is also starting to be used more central, and he doesn't look as comfortable as he did as an out-and-out winger. They don't have much depth in defence, but they have Courtois behind the back 4, who, as we all should know by now, is superb. They have a pretty crap right hand side to be honest in terms of technical ability, so they're usually quite defensive down that side. I don't see us getting much joy if Bertrand starts on the left.

YESSSS!!! I was literally just about to write something very similar.

Good to see Borini is total shit now that he's left Roma.

He doesn't really offer us that much anymore. Romeu is a better tackler. Mikel is more cool-headed under pressure (although that's sometimes a bad thing.) He doesn't really offer anything anymore that Lampard doesn't. Oscar is the better passer out of the two. It's a shame. He used to get games because of his stamina pretty much, but that seems to have gone. He also looks frightened to make tackles at times as, I assume, he's worried he'll injure himself. Hope he gets sold soon. Loved him as a player, but it would make much more sense freeing up the wage bill and using Romeu more or McEachran when he's back.

He's having a decent game.

Looks like it is just tiredness effecting Mata then! Isn't there a potential plan for the Premier League to allow a winter break being discussed? That would help us out a lot considering we don't rotate all that much compared to the likes of both Manchester teams.

Mata has looked rather average recently IMO compared to last season. Is this due to tiredness? Or simply because when Eden is on the pitch everyone else around him looks like toddlers? I can't put my finger on it. He was still one of our best players though.

Oh yeah, good points mentioned above - Without Lampard beside him, Mikel did indeed look a bit better than usual. In fact, our whole team looked better without Lampard and Terry. I love them both dearly, but we really need to start dropping them more often. (I'm aware Terry was out through injury.)

That penalty from Hazard was incredibly confident. Reminded me of CR7, Balotelli etc. (I'm not a fan of Balotelli personally. Just adding that in.) ANYWAY - It's amazing that Mr. Eden has been MOTM THREE times in a row. SURELY that's a record for a new signing in the Premier League?

So proud of our team. Of course people will probably say that Newcastle United had a fluke last season, but they're honestly a really great side. Cisse is LETHAL, and I'm surprised how limited he was today! I've had my doubts about Eden Hazard. I'm glad he's proving me wrong. I don't even need to see him against a 'top team' as I've seen him against Manchester City in the community shield. I'm satisfied with him. That's decided. THIS is supposed to be our transitional season, and if it keeps going like this, I'm going to be a very excited boy.

For fuck sake. Why not HAZARD?!

Why Luiz? Why not Hazard? So confused.

"They like Ramires here... but they love Mata." Excuse me commentator? DO I!? I'm pretty sure I love both players.

I keep questioning RDM's line-ups. He keeps proving me wrong. Hopefully we get the win today. It'll pretty much force me to put a lot more faith into our manager.

So we're now playing deep again. How long until they score?

What a fucking finish. And yet another fucking Hazard assist. Fuck. Just fuck.

I'm sorry, but see how much more chemistry and forward movement there is without the 'leadership' of Lampard and Terry in the side? Just food for thought.

Newcastle United fans are cunts tbh. No need for vulgar chanting.

Please leave this club Mikel.